Johny Hendricks said being passed over for a welterweight title shot felt “worse than a shot in the gut.”

So bad, in fact, that he’s thought about calling it quits.

“The way I feel right now, if it wasn’t for my fans, I could almost feel like, done,” he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “That’s how sickened I feel to my stomach that somebody stepped in there because he talked a little more trash than I did and stole it from me.”

That somebody is Nick Diaz, who was named by UFC President Dana White as the next likely challenger to champ Georges St-Pierre.

White on Thursday told reporters that St-Pierre (23-2 MMA, 17-2 UFC) said he had “unfinished business” with Diaz (26-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) and wanted to fight him before a potential superfight with middleweight champ Anderson Silva or Hendricks.

Upon hearing the news, Hendricks (14-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), whom White previously said was the No. 1 contender, went on something of a Twitter rant. He regrets the outburst, but felt he had a right to be angry.

His anger is directly squarely at the champion.

“I’m not disappointed in the UFC, because they want to keep their champion happy,” Hendricks said. “I get that. It’s GSP who I’m mad at, because there’s no reason anybody should bypass me. For him to sit there and say, ‘We have this or this,’ who cares? You’re the champion. I get to say I want to fight you, and it’s supposed to happen because I’m the No. 1 contender.”

Hendricks was earmarked for a title shot after knocking out Martin Kampmann in the first round of their co-main event fight at UFC 154. The highlight-reel finish came after a decision over onetime welterweight title challenger Josh Koscheck at UFC on FOX 3 and another one-punch first-round KO of title challenger Jon Fitch at UFC 141.

In 10 UFC appearances, the former Oklahoma State University wrestler has banked $200,000 from three “Knockout of the Night” bonuses.

St-Pierre trainer Firas Zahabi told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Hendricks was a worthy contender, but Diaz generated more interest among fans. Diaz manager and trainer Cesar Gracie said of the imminent title shot, “This just goes to show that the fans have more power than incompetent judges.”

Gracie is, of course, referring to a unanimous decision Carlos Condit won over Diaz at UFC 143 that scuttled a fight between the ex-Strikeforce champ and St-Pierre, who were scheduled to meet at the February event before St-Pierre withdrew due to injury.

Gracie pupil Jake Shields jumped into the fray on Thursday, tweeting Hendricks to “stop crying” and fight him. Hendricks chuckled at the call-out and said the former Strikeforce champ and current UFC middleweight challenger was simply trying to revive his career.

St-Pierre has said he has a “professional hatred” of the behavior that has won Diaz legions of fans.

Hendricks believes the champ is now enabling that behavior by upsetting the order of title challengers.

“He’s saying he likes the integrity of the sport, and here he is doing something that’s totally the opposite of what he talks about,” said Hendricks.

Hendricks said he’s lost respect for St-Pierre, and quickly shot down the notion that he should pump himself up by being more controversial.

“That’s what’s killing boxing … the fact that you can run your mouth a little bit, and then you get something,” he said. “It’s about how good you fight. That’s what this sport was built on.

“I don’t want to have to be a jerk to get something.”

Later Thursday, Hendricks said he saw a cryptic tweet from White that either suggested he would fight St-Pierre next or follow Diaz. He attempted to save the tweet, but was overwhelmed by reaction online from fans, whom he said were vocal in their support.

Hendricks received nary a text of support from those outside his circle of fighter friends.

“I’m still training like I’m going to fight GSP, because, let’s be honest, [Diaz] didn’t show up to the press conferences last time, and he’s coming off suspension,” said Hendricks, referring to the yearlong suspension issued to Diaz for a second marijuana infraction. “So there’s still a lot of play, and he doesn’t come back until February. So I still have from now until February to get my name in front of his.”

Hendricks said he’ll sit on his feelings and watch the fights at UFC on FOX 5, which takes place Saturday at Seattle’s KeyArena. On Monday, he plans to call White.

“Let him get through this weekend, and then Monday, give him a call and see what happens,” Hendricks said.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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